One world at a time

Spoon Hangtag

2010-12-07T12:08:00.001-08:00

Robert Aitken (1917-2010)

2010-08-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

A gentle reminder just how precious this life is.

Robert Aitken was my teacher's teacher. He died yesterday. He had been in poor health for a while. That does not make it any easier for his family and those close to him.

I never met him but through his writings and the stories my teacher told. One story that I remember was that Aitken used to record his talks in a cassette tape recorder. One evening he noticed that the recorder had malfunctioned and failed to record his teisho. Later after everyone when to bed, he stayed up an sat in the zendo re-giving and re-recording his teisho to an empty zendo. The advantage of his dependance on his notes.

This must have been an odd scene to come on. I don't know, but this may have been one of his best Dharma talksr. It points to his dedication to spreading the Dharma in the Western world. He has done so much and now can rest.

We'll have to wait and see what blossoms out of all his hard work. I dedicate the merit of my practice to you, Robert Aitken, Dai Osho.

Zen is Everyday Life

2010-07-11T06:51:00.000-07:00

Before taking up Zen, everyday life is just how life is lived. When you start to practice Zen, everyday life becomes a mystery, a thing unto itself. After ‘practicing Zen’ everyday life again is just how life is lived.

During the summer months my practice community is dispersed and we are involved in many family and social activities. I’m looking forward already to the cold, rainy and snowy month when my practice community will come together again.

As reported earlier, I recently spent some time with Barry Gordon, a spoon carver with over 30 year of experience. One thing that I picked up watching Barry was the importance of intentionality. This notion is still coagulating but here is what I've seen so far.

You could depend on the moment or "the wood" to inspire you as you formed the spoon. Stand in front of the bandsaw or the chopping block and start whacking away. I call this the "Michelangelo Subtraction Approach" - start removing wood and seeing what develops. Lately this has started to feel a bit to 'willy-nilly' and this feeling intensified after working with Barry.

Alternatively, you could inject more intentionality.

I've started to make patterns for my spoons. When thinking about what I want to accomplish, the drawing has been very helpful. As an activity unto itself, drawing connects me with my spoon making at times I can not be in the shop. Pattern making has already lead me to see design 'opportunities' I want to avoid using again. Notice the bottom pattern in the picture above. The curve in the handle looks graceful and suited to the size of the spoon. Using the pattern in fresh Red Oak, I now feel that the curve it too 'curvy' and the spoon feels funny 'in the hand'. I'll post a picture when done comparing spoon with pattern.

Another activity that adds intentionally is keeping a file of inspiring photos and clipping from which to draw ideas. My image file contains almost 800 images of spoons scoured from the web that I peruse from time to time, studying the work of others, some positive some as lessons of what not to do.

Sweet 'hand-feel' of a spoon is the ephemeral quality of comfort and connection you get when holding a well crafted spoon. I've held and made spoons that lack this 'hand-feel' or a 'spooniness' quality.

Which are you? A Michelangelo who removes everything that is not the spoon or someone who injects some measure of intentionality into you carving?

The more I practice the more I realize just how little I know about Zen. I'm finding talking about Zen ain't too helpful. Sometimes a lot of what passes for Zen is nothing but critique. Like a movie critic, critiquing life. Counter productive yet the social norm. Acceptably missing the point!

I must confess that I don't know a thing about Zen. I don't know why I practice. I can't remember even why I came to the practice. Maybe it is transient, but I find my desire to hold ideas in my mind weakening even more. I have no idea about Zen and am comforted by that. Weird confession. The practice being so nebulous. To say it is "everything" or "your practice is your practice" is a cop out. I sit. That is about all I can say for sure.

There. -- Your turn.

Wooden Spoons & Zen

2010-07-08T14:40:00.001-07:00

This space is making a change.

A couple of weeks ago, I took a spoon makers vacation. I was lucky to spend most of week with one of the best spoon makers in America and a great teacher, Barry Gordon.

We worked in his shop and talk about design, technique and materials.
Here Barry is pictured roughing out a Buckthorn spoon. He has developed a notion of using the band saw as a carving implement. Barry uses a highly tuning the band saw with a few custom features. He uses special blades with high beam strength and frequently applies a wax lubricant to the blades. He has optimized his dust collection with custom shrouds under the table. He has filled in the miter slot and made a UHDP insert for the throat. A link belt and a custom study base that together all but eliminate any vibration. Extra lighting and a slow steady hand and a “roughed out” spoon is closer to its final shape.
Barry and his wife Barb, were gracious hosts and shared there home and dinner table with me. The conversation was delightful.
Now we’ll have to see if I absorbed anything.
Later in the week Barb, Barry and I drove the 300 miles or so to the American Association of Woodturners national convention in Hartford CT. We had some of the best pizza ever at a little place call Joe’s Pizza just outside Hartford.
The main reason for the trip to Hartford was to see and meet Norman Stevens the wooden spoon collector and see his “Gathering of Spoons” (PDF of catalog) exhibition.

Norman Stevens is a retired university librarian who has a long history of collecting and supporting spoon makers. His latest project, the recently renamed “A Gathering of Spoons”, is a collection of spoons by makers mostly but not exclusively from America. It was a real treat the see and hold spoons by Jogge and Wille Sundqvist. See so many spoons by so many makers all in one spot was inspiring. Below is a series of images I took original thinking I’d create a panoramic of the collection but I think it would be better to just publish them and try later to make a panorama.

A Gathering of Spoons

VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Human Spirit

2010-05-10T05:37:00.000-07:00

We are on page 192. Today's miniature teaches about how "there is always a bigger flea." To make his point, Aitken uses a pair of writers, Robert Louis Stevens and Leo Tolstoy, and a pair of short stories, "The Touchstone" and "How Much Land Does a Man Need?". Having not read either, I can not speak to the merits of his comparison as to which writer was the "bigger flea".

That is not the point. On the surface, Aitken does a great job of presenting first RLS as a writer who "informs my very life." Strong praise indeed. Then he goes on to introduce LT and note Chekhov's proclamation that LT's short story is "the best short story ever written." Aitken's writing here is masterful. He places these two writer next to each other and imagines there relationship.

With more reflection, we see that comparison and our desire to know or be the "bigger flea" is a part of the human spirit. If we hold these comparisons lightly, recognizing the ephemeral nature of the sense of separation that allows comparisons, the human spirit can be light. If we put too much energy in comparisons, in who's the bigger flea, then the human spirit becomes needy, heavy, busy with judgments.

Chose to be light. See the ephemeral nature of separation. Be kind to yourself.

I'd like to point you to Lucy Loomis, a photographer, who has posted to Flickr a set of her visit to Dan Santos' woodworking shop. I don't know either of these people yet their sharing has inspired me. We will see what develops. Here is a link to the set and a sample.

Photo by Lucy Lommis

Trick or Treat

2010-03-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

Today we get a history lesson. "All Souls' Eve" has its origins in ancient Europe. Culture to culture, eventually to England where "good-hearted celebrators dressed as ghouls or ghosts went "a-souling" door to door... to beg food for the poor."

Sadly, yet another communal celebration bastardized by capitalism.

Dad's Indiscretion

2010-03-19T11:16:00.000-07:00

Today's miniature is best read in context. Buy the book and read it from the beginning. Once you get to page 190, you'll be caught up with this post.

I have not had any encounters in my life that could have lead to "... children and their innumerable children and their innumerable children and innumerable, innumerable cousins ..." So far I've escaped fatherhood. This is an odd source of pride for me.

For the wood design enthusiast. Elbert Hubbard was the mover behind Roycroft. His implementation of the Arts and Craft ethos lives on today. There is a lot to be learned here including an hour long video produced by PBS.

The Patriot

2010-03-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

Today I learned a new word, jingoistic. Jingoism is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as "extreme patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy".

Robert Aitken is quite the story teller.

My father was proud of his prowess at scratch off lottery tickets. Winning a few dollars made his day in a way that I never could understand. From time to time he would ask me to send him scratch off lottery tickets from Idaho because we have different games. He told me once that those who play the Powerball type lotteries were fools easily separated from their money. He hoped to win big by scratching.

He never did.

Mother's Inability

2010-03-17T16:01:00.000-07:00

Robert Aitken's mother was a talented and engaged woman who raised two sons. She was troubled in her relationship with her mother. Aitken confesses, "This karma affected her marriage, and ultimately me, I'm sure, though I lack the insight to say just how."

"I lack the insight to say just how." Thank you roshi for this teaching. The rains don't come and the wind blows hard. I eat my dinner alone. Knowing or not knowing is not the trouble. Want one or the other and the road to hell is paved with questions.

Sycamore spoons, roughed out and ready for finishing.
carving by Will Simpson
From Spoonery

Listen to an NHPR 2004 recorded interview with ... "Dan Dustin is a wood artisan and spoon maker from Contoocook, New Hampshire. He's been using his own unique method of making wooden spoons for 30 years. He begins by going into the woods, and "finding" the spoons within the branches of trees. He says the trees make the spoons, he just discovers them. His spoons cost as much as $100."

Impressing Mom and Dad

2010-03-16T13:45:00.000-07:00

"They were of the earth, earthy, and were not easily impressed."

With this we see our own limits of expression. What sweeps away our grounding, points out to us where we are moored? Comfortable in a skin of nature, of art, of literature, of technology. What brings us to this 'impressed'? The lightness of 'impressed' sings in the heart of this little boy.

Lunch time walkabout, Honey Bees working the plum blossoms, I left my smile there for you to find.

Grandpa Baker's Failure

2010-01-04T16:20:00.000-08:00

Grandpa Baker's Failure", number 170 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

About the saddest thing I've ever read. Short and in one paragraph, six sentences, Aitken paints a masterpiece of sadness expressed as Grandfather's marital failure.

"He couldn't attain the measure of human happiness that we all hope for ourselves."

I marvel at Aitken's skill at weaving story.

Like many, I've spent some time recently considering my goals. There are the usual suspects of, reading wider, losing weight by starting an exercise regime, writing regularly, etc. What is different this year is that I've seen a shift away from a list of stated goals. In its place there is a mind map. As it was being developed, it became clear that there are two different modes, traits and projects. Traits to develop or solidify; "focus on health", "focus on relationships", "focus on hyperlocal", and "focus on kindness". Projects to start, re-start, or grow; spoon making, photography, Python programming, blogging.

There is a bit of disconnect between the traits and the projects.

Attempting to boil all this down to a short phrase has been hard but valuable. Being concise and keeping a short phrase in front may be more successful than the large detailed mind map I've created.

Here is my attempt at creating a short phrase that encompasses the meme or feeling-tone of my new year's goals.

Create growth

Less consumption More production

Use talents to connect

Visualize kindness

Of these "Use talents to connect" seems the closest to what I have in mind for the coming year. Now the work of aligning the projects to this.

If I was to boil this down even farther, just three words, they'd be

create
connect
kindness

Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

A Fine Memory

2009-12-26T07:05:00.000-08:00

"A Fine Memory", number 169 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In todays miniature, roshi confesses to a poor memory. He describes the tricks he uses to support his memory and how in the end they fail him.

Exactly what is the teaching here?

Is it that old men have poor memories? No. Is it that the tricks we use to hide our failing are all useless? Maybe. Is it that knowing we are naked at all times, it is still fun to play? This feels pretty close.

I'm reading James Krenov's "The Impractical Cabinetmaker" and what strikes me is how Krenov strips away all the jargon and talk of technicalities and advocates trusting our hands much the same way a Zen Master would strip away doubt and self-talk and advocate direct practice.Krenov ponders the problem as he sees it, that many craftsman loose their connection with the material and force their will on it. This leads to disasters of failure in design and execution all for the sake of showiness.

"Snagged in the pros and cons of technicalities we forget the broader meaning of a method and its relationship to our material... Being inventive at the expense of being sensitive may take us away from our best intentions and from the honest center of our craft... Craftsmen approach the work itself as having a definite and vital connection between the methods used and the nature of the result."

"Simplicity is at the heart of so much that is fine... Simplicity needn't be crude; it can, and should, include the sensitive... When the simple becomes obvious: a band of small discoveries, strung like pearls on a thread of curiousity, lend richness to our work."

James Krenov
The Impractical Cabinetmaker 1979

All Things are under the Law of Change

2009-12-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

"All Things are under the Law of Change", number 168 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Yes indeed 'all things are under the law of change'. Even this blog. Things have gone quiet here as other projects grew. All things are under the law of change.

In this miniature, Robert Aitken paints an intimate portrait of living with his grandparents at the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton. This was back in 1928 and all things are under the law of change. Yet, how often do we forget this or wish it was some other way?

Old photographs show us change. They show us that "nothing survives after all - nothing at all."

My intent is to add more woodworking content to this space. This space is called wooden Zen, till now more Zen then wood but that is about to change. There I go reaffirming 'all things are under the law of change'.

Here is a photo of a work under progress.

Here is a photo of the same piece completed and hanging in the Wawawai Canyon Winery gallery.

Steelhead Run

Will Simpson

2009

Liquid Sunshine

2009-10-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

"Liquid Sunshine", number 167 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Photo by Will Simpson
From One world at a time

My meteorological friends will love today miniature. Aitken tells of his Hawaiian youth where ""liquid sunshine," as we called it as children, when it sprinkles on a bright day. The sun shines through the light rain and the effect is lovely. The Hawaiians call this phenomenon kilihune."

Turns out Hawaiians are quite creative in naming their rains. In a contest with the Inuit's names for snow, the Hawaiians are the champions. Another example of Hawaiian names for rain which I found in an article in The Independent published in the UK, is lanipali, which means a very heavy shower. Its literal meaning, however, is "shower reaching to heaven".

How sweet, a shower reaching to heaven. Those Hawaiians are close to the rain.

Incredibly Naive

2009-10-09T20:31:00.000-07:00

"Incredibly Naive", number 166 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

One minute we feel superior the next we are dead. What good is this superior feeling now?

I'm reminded about the Seung Sahn saying "you must become stupid" as a way of practicing. What we call intellect and reason only get us so far down the path. At some point they become barriers. When death approaches, intellect and reason will be of no use. This become stupid is not a become ignorant. Instead it is becoming more open, less rigid.

don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know... don't know...

Looks stupid but is intimate in ways knowledge and reason could never be.

John Daido Loori Roshi, successor to Hakuyu Taizan Maezumi Roshi, founder of the Mountains and Rivers Order of Zen Buddhism, and abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, and one of the most influential Zen masters in the West, died at the Monastery in Mount Tremper, New York on Friday, October 9th.

It is a sad day. Zen has lost a giant. Hand together in gratitude. I have a picture of Daido that I'll carry with me for 49 days.

Reading the Book

2009-10-06T11:43:00.000-07:00

"Reading the Book", number 165 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Thank you Roshi for introducing me to Simone Weil.

The seasons change but fall does not become winter.

Humane Antennae

2009-10-04T07:50:00.000-07:00

"Humane Antennae", number 164 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today's miniature is contains a cute story of the Roshi being caught parked in a no parking zone. Aitken was a bit obtuse and acted the cranky old man. The security guard played along. A humane human.

This little tidbit was in my email this morning. Looking through my email and also at twitter is like opening thousands of sweet notes to the heart.

This is from Tricycle's Daily Dharma.

The Teacher in Everything

Intaking up Zen Buddhism, we find that the life of the Buddha is our ownlife. Not only Shakyamuni's life, but the lives of all the succeedingteachers in our lineage are our own lives. As Wu-men Hui-k'ai has said,in true Zen practice our very eyebrows are tangled with those of ourancestral teachers, and we see with their eyes and hear with theirears. This is not because we copy them, or change to be like them. Imight explain Wu-men's words by saying that in finding our own truenature, we find the true nature of all things, which the old teachersso clearly showed in their words and actions.

But the authenticexperience of identity is intimate beyond explanation. And it's notonly with old teachers that we find complete intimacy. The Chinesethrush sings in my heart and gray clouds gather in the empty sky of mymind. All things are my teacher.

- Robert Aiken Roshi "The Teacher in Everything," Tricycle, Fall 2001

Read the complete article on tricycle.com

Grandmother's Admonitions

2009-10-04T07:35:00.000-07:00

"Grandmother's Admonitions", number 163 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The measure of ateacher is not on-line or IRL, in a book or in person, virtual ortangible or even live or dead. The measure of a teacher is shown in thestudent.

I'm not so good a judge of the quality of a Zenteacher. We sometimes see some with real social problems with so calledZen teachers. Some are eloquent some are artistic. Some not so much so.Some are techno-geeks some are technophob's. Some times we like theteacher some we don't. All this matters not as it is the minds game ofpicking and choosing.

Look at the students to measure the depth of the teacher. Gather trusted friends and listen to their advice.

EverywhereI look I see that I can take a more active responsibility for my Zenpractice. This is my part of the Student/Teacher equation. As I up mygame, I'm met with more expansive teachers. On-line or in real lifedoes not matter.

Hands together in peace.

How to Make a Baby

a short educational film

by Cassidy Curtis and Raquel Coelho

January 2009

Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time

Pleasant Memories

2009-09-27T07:59:00.000-07:00

"Pleasant Memories", number 162 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Artist: Sunao Hironaka (1903-1990)

Title: Untitled

Medium: Watercolor

Overall Dimensions: 27"x22" framed

Price: $800

Available at Cedar Steet Galleries

Probably not this painting, but one by the same painter stimualted a flood of pleasant memories for Aitken. He was not moved particularly by the painting but the painter. Not really the painter but the painters wife. Not really the painters wife but his memories of the times he and his parents spent with her. Funny how with mind, one thing leads to another.

One of the fringe benefits of having a disciplined mind. "Pleasant Memories!"

Counting Seconds

2009-09-22T06:03:00.000-07:00

"Counting Seconds", number 161 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I continue to be moved by the sweetness of these miniatures.

Different from Aitken, I learned to mark seconds with "One, one thousand, two, one thousand, three, one thousand..." I don't remember who it was that instructed me so.

If learning as a thing, is comprised of the thing and the circumstances of the learning, I've remembered the thing but not the circumstances of the learning. Does this disadvantage my learning? It doesn't feel that way. Yet it makes it hard to reminisce.

Hopefully, reminiscing will be a skill developed over time. The question is do I have enough time left? I'll have to reminisce vicariously. (Wow, where did that come from?)

This seems a train of thought going nowhere thankfully. Time to measure out the breakfast oatmeal.

As irrigators lead water where they want, as archers make their arrows straight, as carpenters carve wood, the wise shape their minds.

~The Dhammapada

created by Raynor

Helvetica the movie

Holocaust Survivors

2009-09-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

"Holocaust Survivors", number 160 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is contains a moving story of a Holocaust survivor that confronts the squatter in his old family home with almost disastrous results. He involves his twin daughters and in so doing passes on his horrors. Actions lead to consequences, it never ends.

I seem to be slowing down with my digestion of these miniatures. I've started with our sangha looking at the Shodoka and this may interrupt my activities here. Maybe not. I've come all this way through this book and am dedicated to finish.

Definition :: tittle - the dot on top of the "i" and "j" typological jargon.

The Foreign Groom

2009-09-17T18:08:00.000-07:00

"The Foreign Groom", number 159 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I have to admit that today's miniature is uncomprehensible to me. Aitken describes some Tang period polo figurines on display at the Honolulu Academy of Arts. He then proceeds to make a story about the figurines. In the end the frozen polo player is "focused on whacking the ball for all time."

Is that the joke or there something more serious going on? There is no point to this. Indeed the words flow out and it is what it is. Relative and absolute collide as the polo player "whacks the ball for all time."

Here is yet another demonstration of the power of the Internet. A Google search produced the link below. It is the relevant two minute segment of audio from the 'Honolulu Academy of Arts audio tour'. Here the narrator describes the polo players and the history of the piece. I imagine this is the same thing Aitken heard or maybe he went 'old-school' and read the placard. Sorry, no images.

http://www.honoluluacademy.org/audiotour/English/25.mp3

Uncle Max

2009-09-16T20:20:00.001-07:00

"Uncle Max", number 158 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is not about Uncle Max really but is really a nod to Aitken's love of his Aunt Margaret. She was the foundation on which Uncle Max depended. They share a simple life and in the end it sounds as though they both were bodhisattvas, one supporting the other.

This "just being herself" is the highest embodiment of love.

This reminded me of an emotional video interview Dick and Rick Hoyt, the pair of athletes known as Team Hoyt. At the 5:00 minute mark in the video below, the interviewer reads a letter to Dick about the writers failings as a father and the inspiration found by knowing Dick. Dick is visibly moved to tears. And as a true bodhisattva says "I just think I'm myself."

I only aspire to "just be myself".

Sharing the Silence

2009-09-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

"Sharing the Silence", number 157 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is surprising. We can not know what is going on, moment to moment when we meet in silence. Aitken relays a incident where his silence is met with crude racism. Surprisingly crude.

Day by Day & Drip by Drip

What we do day by day, drip by drip, over time affects our attitude, the place on which we stand and operate in life.

A daily sitting practice after years and years slowly becomes a touch stone, a friend. We treat ourselves with a healthy dose of quietude to balance the activity of a normal life. Yet it is easier to develop and stick to a diet or exercise plan than it is to stick to daily sitting.

Committing to a daily practice of quite sitting (zazen) counts for more than one imagines. The strength built by both the commitment and the actual practice (not two!) shows up everywhere. It changes the world and connects. It is what is needed for the healing of our world.

This is our challenge, are you up for it?

A Turning Point

2009-09-16T05:28:00.000-07:00

"A Turning Point", number 156 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Robert Aitken shares with us one of his life path turning point events. During a gathering of "young would-be writers" a reviewer mentioned that Aitken's poetry sounded like Japanese or Chinese verse. He had not considered this before this. From there he found Asataro Miyamori's Haiku: Ancient and Modern and Arthur Waley's Translations from the Chinese.

"With this a train of karma got fired up, and it's still tooting along."

My turning point was when I was convinced by the changes I saw in my friend Richard Ibey, to follow him and encounter EST. This fired up my "train of karma... and it's still tooting along".

Stephen Crane

2009-09-13T06:53:00.000-07:00

"Stephen Crane", number 155 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today Aitken reminds us that Stephen Crane wrote the American Civil War classic The Red Badge of Courage. He recommends Crane to 'the young writer ... for his naturally expressed yet vivid humanism.' I found this quote on Wikipedia and apparently Ernest Hemingway feels strongly about Crane also.

In 1936, Ernest Hemingway wrote in The Green Hills of Africa that "The good writers are Henry James, Stephen Crane, and Mark Twain. That's not the order they're good in. There is no order for good writers."

We have run into a string of miniatures about history and writing. And why not? Aitken is a writer and quite interested in history.

Life and death interpenetrate. In fact, what people call "life" is just generally their own little lives and "death" is the end of that. But death is something that life does and death renews and refreshes life. Life and death are not opposed to each other. So when the bodymind dies, it just dies. Now the bodymind is alive. Can you just live? I mean, since you're alive anyway, why not take advantage of the fact by giving up trying to get anything out of it and just sit up straight and just live? "This is as it is not because you make it so, but because the Dharma is thus."

-Ven. Anzan Hoshin roshi, continuing teisho 3 "The Body of the Buddha" from the series, "Seeing Eye to Eye: Commentaries on Eihei Dogen zenji's Yuibutsu Yobutsu," Tuesday, May 18th, 2004.

Cinque Ports

2009-09-11T14:55:00.001-07:00

"Cinque Ports", number 154 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

View Larger Map

Continuing on the theme from my previous post, Aitken this time starts off with a history lesson about the seventeenth and eighteenth century town Rye in southeastern England. Aitken can't seem to help himself, he has to get a bit fancy with his writing. Wander off to wikipedia to learn about "cinque ports".

Then as today, greed was run a muck. This reminds me of the part of the Great Vows that goes, ...Greed, hatred and ignorance rise endlessly; I vow to abandon them. Recently it has been brought to my attention that greed is a synonymous with like, and hatred with dislike and ignorance with indifference. So greed, hatred and ignorance becomes like, dislike and indifference rise endlessly.

What type of nerd are you?

The Mejiro

2009-09-11T10:21:00.000-07:00

"The Mejiro", number 153 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Japanese White-eye Mejiro

In this miniature Aitken, in a seven sentence paragraph, lays out an intimate scene between him and Yamada Roshi. In what feels linguistically contrived word play, we move from the "lanai of Koko An" watching a "little bird flitting around the Climbing Fig" to the successfully introduction in the 1920's of the mejiro from "Japan to Hawai'i". Yamada display of a bit of uncertainty about all this.

This all seems a fancy and over written. It takes more words to describe this and Aitken took to write it. Maybe this is my own confusion and lack of skill at writing. In such a short paragraph he has set a specific scene with two characters (three if you count the mejiro). The place is familiar to him but a bit confusing to me as he uses one term that is unfamiliar – lanai. This seems the danger of fancy writing. Turns out that lanai refers both to an island in the Hawaiian chain of islands and also a veranda.

This brings up the question for me as to what exactly Aitken means by a "miniature"? So far this collection of miniatures have been a mix of subtle and not so subtle teachings, family snapshots, history lessons and now with this one we get a bit of a writing lesson.

Something a bit different is going on for sure. Have I missed it?

James Krenov, a legendary woodworker, author, and founder of the College of the Redwoods Fine Furniture Program in Fort Bragg, Calif, died September 9, 2009 at the age of 89.

His cabinet making philosophy and skills at teaching and his students continuing work are his legacy. He was someone who had no idea how vast his influence has been. He even has a style of furniture named for him Krenovian. He is also famous for his wooden hand planes. I have been planning on making one and now seems to be the time to start.

"Tongues in Trees"

2009-09-08T20:00:00.000-07:00

"Tongues in Trees", number 152 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Scene 1, Act 2 of William Shakespeare's As You Like It Duke Senior says "Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stones, and good in every thing."

This points to the inter-beingness of things contrived and the natural world. Trees that talk, rivers with stories, preached to by stones, and good in every thing. Later in the play it comes out as "these trees shall be my books". Learning from the natural world.

The Friendly Animals

2009-09-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

"The Friendly Animals", number 151 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Two days and no movement. This miniature seems a mix of anthropomorphism and a small bird that foretells the future. Seems odd to be in a book presumably about Zen.

Color me hopeful.

Secret Sorrow

2009-09-05T08:47:00.001-07:00

"Secret Sorrow", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

A secret sorrow of unrequited love. The tragedy of a love that might have been.

How does one talk compassionately about this. On the one hand, reality is just what it is. One the other hand, cultural norms are fixed and rigid. Circumstances sometimes conspire to separate people who might otherwise have connected.

Sometimes we have a sense of this missed connection. Sometimes not.

Some people are prone to postulating in this way. Some are not.

How different reality would be if reality was different. This is a "Duhism". Sure we can want things to be different than they are and we can work hard to correct what we see as injustices in the world but in the end reality is just what it is.

This is often discussed in Zen circles. How to balance the truth of reality and the desire to save all beings. This question is one I still struggle with. I work hard to be less and less self centered in as many of the small ways that I can hoping that one day I'll break out and be less self centered in a big way.

We have come full circle. Right here we have my very own 'secret sorrow'. It surprises me that my longing to find ways to be an activist is so tied up "with the tragedy of love that cannot be requited."

Not the lesson Aitken intended, but the one I got. Hands together in peace, thank you Roshi.

Andrea Gibson
Poet and Brave Activist

The Gurgling Magpie

2009-09-04T06:08:00.000-07:00

"The Gurgling Magpie", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Owl Pellet

We have an owl in the neighborhood that has been quite vocal. In the evenings and in the morning she calls like a wounded cat.

At first we thought it might be a Screech Owl because of the its call. Now that we have seen it in the woods and hunting on our neighbors stubble field we think it is a Great Horned Owl. Still with a sad call.

One thing I'm learning is that the naming of things is unimportant. Yet sometimes I can not help myself.

"Take an interest in all crafts that support your writing. To do your best, help others do their best." Roy Peter Clark

This his how Roy Peter Clark from the Poynter Institute starts his podcast "Roy's Writing Tool #46". This advice can be taken up in most every field whether that field is Zen or woodworking.

Finger Bowls

2009-09-03T06:18:00.000-07:00

"Finger Bowls", number 149 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Social and cultural customs are funny things. We agree that things should be done in a certain way. Others agree that things should be done in a different way. 'We' and 'Others' develop odd relationships because of this.

Aitken tells us of a meal he remembers as a adolescent where a guest drank from the finger bowls his grandmother used in her formal table place settings.

'We' think 'Others' are beneath us if they drink the water from the finger bowls. The whole idea of a finger bowl is quite odd indeed. A small bowl, filled with water, presented on a special manner on the table. Sure looks like something ceremonial like a sacrament. Aren't 'We' the crazy ones for washing our dirty fingers in the sacrament?

What other area of my life are like this? Culturally or socially blind to reality.

Be Amazing!

The Green Flash

2009-09-01T06:14:00.000-07:00

"The Green Flash", number 148 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Life is full of practical jokes and Aitken's grandfather perpetrated one on unsuspecting visitors to his workplace. He worked as a astronomer
at the Lick Observatory. He would tell visitors that the best way to see the green flash of the setting sun was to "turn your back on the sunset and bend over and watch for the flash there between your legs."

What a silly sight that must have been. Whole families lined up all bent over watching the sun set. An astronomer's practical joke. At the same time, those bent over were willing participants, giggling at themselves all along.

Surf the wave of the unknown and be amazed.

The Notch

2009-08-31T05:37:00.000-07:00

"The Notch", number 147 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today's miniature hinges on the taking up of a traditional craft from a different culture and how some aspects of this transmission are misappropriated. The example used is the one where Korean potters notched the bottoms of their seconds and there apprentices liked this practice so much that they notched even the best of their work.

Speaking of craft and cross cultural messaging, I am interested in the knife making skills of Joel Bukiewicz, a Brooklyn based writer turned knife maker. In the short video below he talks about how some of the best cutlery today comes from Japan. I feel he is too modest and has refined the art of cutlery and added cultural flares that would be sacrilegious in Japan. Namely the colorful handles.

Below is a repost the video from a few days ago and an added second.

The Turnover

2009-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:00

"The Turnover", number 146 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

There was a dramatic turning point in the war with Japan. The Emperor of Japan surrendered and the country started the process of rebuilding.

During this time there were amazing and previously unthinkable events. While Aitken was waiting for his repatriation, the leaders of his group were asked by the Japanese, when building dance halls for the occupation forces, should they build separate ones for officers and enlisted men or not.

This is a complete and utter acceptance of the new situation.

Here is the lesson for all of us zennies. Accept every new situation with the same gusto. And every situation is new, even those that are repeated endlessly.

I found this reproduction of a BBC program about Zen in Japan on youtube. It is in 8 parts but each are short. If you practice zazen, you'll be in for a treat during the last 3 minutes of the program. There is some great footage of old training centers in Japan.

Zen Buddhism: The Land of the Disappearing Buddha, a 1977 BBC Production.

Old Asian Women

2009-08-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

"Old Asian Women", number 145 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Old Asian Women seem to be some of the most durable people around. Why is this the case? Hard work, family ties, a go with the flow attitude. Doing what needs being done. This is also the way of Zen.

I've been thinking about obsession lately. In this context I view obsession as uplifting as apposed to an irrational drive. Obsession is defined as a compulsive or irrational preoccupation, an unhealthy fixation. And yet, it could also be seen as a strong drive for excellence, an immersion into the art, a single pointed endeavor, focus.

I came acrossthis short video of a Joel Bukiewicz, knife maker in Brooklyn who is obsessed withkitchen cutlery. Most excellent.

This embodies my feelings about wooden spoons. Only my execution needs work.

This reminds me of my friend, Doug Stowe who is an evangelist for making things with hands. A hand made world in which we learn and socialize via the work of our hands. We in America have gotten so far from this. So much education, work and social activities have neglected the value of hand skills.

In some arenas, hand skills have not only been neglected but are denigrated. There is so much to this world of the hand. An aesthetic and intimacy that is uncommon.

Picture Brides

2009-08-26T20:49:00.000-07:00

"Picture Brides", number 144 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Propinquity is the effect describing the tendency of relationships to be formed by people living in proximity to one another. In today's miniature, Japanese American's ordered 'picture brides' from Japan and when they arrived 'propinquity' lead some to develop love relationships with the older Japanese men who paid their way to America. Quoting Aitken's Nana "propinquity propinks". Propinks is not a real word but poets and literary types make use of it anyway.

The earliest literary use of this phrase comes from the tile of Chapter 21 in Ian Flemings 'Diamonds are Forever' - 'Nothing Propinks Like Propinquity' published in 1956.

In Robert Aitken's other book "Zen Master Raven" there is the scene in the book called. "Propinquity". Here is how it goes.

Propinguity

Cougar also came by that evening for the first time. After Raven's final response to Gray Wolf, he asked, "Then is karma just cause and effect?"

Raven said, "Propinquity propinks."

Cougar shook his head vigorously and said, "Sometimes it makes me irritated."

Raven said, " Your great chance."

As the Raven said, "Propinquity propinks." This 'propinks' is the verb form of propinquity. This is like the phrases "antiquity antinks" and "ubiquity ubinks", which are poetically cute. Obviously Aitken propinks propinquity!

Rev. Pierre Taigu Turlur talks about shikantaza, Dogen's unique style of meditation and ango, a traditional 100 day practice period in a couple of nice youtube videos.

Shikantaza

Medium

Miles Carey

2009-08-25T05:32:00.000-07:00

"Miles Carey", number 143 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature Aitken shares with us more about community building and the relationships that occur because of our actions.

The unintentional consequences of Miles Carey's leadership lead to a community that quietly honored him by popularizing the naming of babies "Miles".

This reminds me of a Taoist parable.

There is a story of an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years. One day his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"We'll see," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it three other wild horses.

"How wonderful," the neighbors exclaimed.

"We'll see," replied the old man.

The following day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown, and broke his leg. The neighbors again came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"We'll see," answered the farmer.

The day after, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by. The neighbors congratulated the farmer on how well things had turned out.

"We'll see" said the farmer.

"TA DAH!"

2009-08-23T20:37:00.000-07:00

"TA DAH!", number 142 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The title of this miniature sounds like the big deal "TA DAH!" Yet what is pointed out is the opposite. In the lingo of Hawaiians, 'no make tada' is the admonition towards modesty.

Subtle nomenclature, language of the community. This is the glue of friends and family.

A Cue

2009-08-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

"A Cue", number 141 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Yesterday I referred to Aitken as 'the old man', today I'm not so sure. Cues come at us all the time. Some are obvious and some are subtle. It is the obvious ones Aitken overtly refers to in todays miniature. Yet there is a subtle set of cues being talked about here too.

Language is a cue game. Every word is hinting at whether or not we are members of the same community, whether that community is strong or weak, inclusive of exclusive. Do we ever stop with this community building?

Birdle Burble

(For James Broughton)

I went out of mind and then came to my senses
By meeting a magpie who mixed up his tenses,
Who muddled distinctions of nouns and of verbs,
And insisted that logic is bad for the birds.
With a poo-wee cluck and a chit, chit-chit;
The grammar and meaning don't matter a bit.

The stars in their courses have no destination;
The train of events will arrive at no station;
The inmost and utmost self of us all
Is dancing on nothing and having a ball.
So with chat for chit and with tat for tit,
This will be that, and that will be IT!

Alan Watts Nonsense

"On the occasion of Alan Watts' 50th birthday, James Broughton wrote a poem for him. On James Broughton's next birthday, Alan Watts wrote this poem for James. It's called: Birdle Burble"

Found this reference on the internets. Surprisingly little reference to this poem which adds to its mystery.

I found some hint that the poem James Broughton wrote for Alan Watts' 50th birthday was a poem titled "Forget-me-nots For Alan Watts". Near the right vintage but nothing to confirm. Also couldn't find this poem on the internets. It is printed in a couple of books by Broughton.

Hooplas by James Broughton
Special Deliveries by James Broughton

I was caught up short when looking online through a listing of the paper of James Broughton at the Kent Library and found this:

1978, July: Tabernik, Joan Watts To [James Broughton]. Invites him to theinterment of Alan Watts' ashes. Printed Manuscript. 1 p.; 17.4 cm.

Thanks to Matt for pointing out this poem and its mystery.

"Dasa Side"

2009-08-21T20:27:00.000-07:00

"Dasa Side", number 140 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In today's miniature, the old man talks of community building. It is sometimes surprising what can pass for 'community building'.

Slang and lingo glue communities. Learning the slang and lingo is the ticket to membership in many communities. Prohibiting the use of slang and lingo are ways that communities are suppressed.

Zen has a surprising amount of jargon. Learning the Zen lingo is a slow and fitful process.

What am I trying to say here? Let's sit and have a cup of coffee.

The only child, the son of a close friend died last Sunday. My heart is heavy with sadness. Life is all around us. So is death. One day we are filled with life the next day death.

Back and forth.

On and on.

This the comfortable method of reality. Bodhidharma knew this when he left India.

Colonel Boogie March

2009-08-20T05:58:00.000-07:00

"Colonel Boogie March", number 139 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

We are in a run of autobiographical miniatures. For some reason these seem less interesting. Today the Roshi reminisces about a show tune he originally heard during his interment. He associates the tune with such a positive experience that he is drawn to see the movie over and over.

Isn't this how we all move through life, somehow drawn to ideas and events by unacknowledged forces. These forces pull and push at us and until exposed to the light of day, we are slaves to their directions.

One path (psychoanalysis) would have us explored each event to discover its root. One path (Zen) would have us drop the whole structure built up around ideas and rooting around in story.

Rooting around in my story. Rooting around in my story. How silly! Make up a story about life, call it mine then root around in it. Try and make it pretty and neat, complain when it isn't smooth, compare it with other made up stories just as screwed up as mine. This scene in the play isn't even funny or even the least bit interesting. Yet I perpetuate it endlessly.

I revised the number of miniatures reported in the book. For some reason I miscounted them. There are only 188 miniatures not 200. I'm not going to change the number on the ones already commented on.

Maybe the universe is inviting me to add 12 of my own?

Here I Come!

2009-08-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

"Here I Come!", number 138 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature, Robert Aitken expresses some of the emotion that he felt during the early stages of his repatriation after being held for almost four years of internment by the Japanese.

One can not make light of this yet it seems odd that an internee would come to embrace his captors culture and religion. This is coming from me, someone who has not had these formative experiences. I guess it could go either way, love or hate. It all depends on how much joriki we have developed.

I'm work on a way to include more woodworking into this site. I took yesterday off work and participated in a "Advance Forest Products Evaluation Field Trip" (technical jargon for a trip to the sawmill). Not any sawmill but Jensen Hardwoods in Walla Walla Washington. Owner/operator, Mark Jensen was very helpful and stayed through his lunch time to help us out-of-towners. This was mostly a scouting expedition.

We'll see what I can produce with the Curly Mango I got. Pictures coming on the newest segmented piece I've finished.

Old Age

2009-08-18T06:03:00.000-07:00

"Old Age", number 137 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

"Poll: Baby Boomers say old age begins at 80, three years more than US life expectancy. Death is the new Old."
Roland Hedley

Dinosaur Mountain

2009-08-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

"Dinosaur Mountain", number 136 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

This miniature is ends with "It is my first thrill of the day." What is your 'first thrill of the day'?

I got an email from someone I haven't been in contact with for 30 years! A thrill indeed.

"Moose, Indian"

2009-08-15T08:20:00.000-07:00

"Moose, Indian", number 135 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Henry David Thoreau's last words were "Moose, Indian". There has been a lot said about this. Roshi puts forth that maybe we should "let the poor guy die in peace."

Death Poetry is a style of poetry written during the once-in-a-lifetime event of personal death.

Some samples of Zen Death Poems.

Sixty-six times have these eyes beheld the
   changing scene of autumn.
I have said enough about moonlight,
Ask no more.
Only listen to the voice of pines and cedars
   when no wind stirs.

Ryonen

Look straight ahead. What's there?

If you see it as it is

You will not err.

Bassui Tokusho

For over sixty years

I often cried Katsu! to no avail.

And now, while dying,

Once more to cry Katsu!

Won't change a thing.

Koken Sochin

Empty-handed I entered the world

Barefoot I leave it.

My coming, my going -

Two simple happenings

That got entangled.

Kozan Ichikyo

These poems come from a collection of Japanese death poems called oddly enough, Japanese Death Poems.

Watched a very interesting discussion between Dr. Robert Thurman, Karen Armstrong, and Phil Cousineau.

"The Spiritual Quest is often understood as a desire to reach God, or to attain spiritual enlightenment. It is a search that is often challenging, full of questions and uncertainties. In this episode of Global Spirit, writer and lecturer hosts comparative religion scholar Karen Armstrong and Professor of Buddhist studies Dr. Robert Thurman for a discussion of The Spiritual Quest as both a personal and religious phenomenon."

Saw the movie "Why Has Bodhi Dharma Left for the East" last night with my Zen peeps. I have to saw it was not to my tastes. It was long, boring and confusing. we were saved the ending my Matt's DVD player dying after 2.5 hours of augh! Dream scenes and what might have been flashbacks were randomly interspersed and the dialog, what little there was, was over the top Zen crap. The NY Times review painted a different picture. Guess, just not my speed. Your mileage may vary.

Bon Dancing

2009-08-13T06:19:00.000-07:00

"Bon Dancing", number 134 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

"... the "Appalachia effect" - folk culture that has died out at home flourishes in the diaspora."

Yes, how interesting. As someone who is a convert to Zen, my enthusiasm for practice flourishes. Not sure that wold be the case if I grew up in the Orient.

Moods and energy go up and down. This is a sign that life is alive. Why does this sadden me when my energy is down?

I may write the book "Miniatures of a Zen Klutz" but then again I may take the infinity wise advice and "DON'T BOTHER".

FDR

2009-08-11T06:18:00.000-07:00

"FDR", number 133 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

We have entered the last section of the book . So far this section seems to be more ordinary and this miniature seems autobiographical and a bit odd.

FDR was a president that lead the US out of the depression of the early 1930's. Aitken has fond memories of FDR. I wonder what this has to do with "Miniatures of a Zen Master"?

The ordinariness of life is Zen. Feed the dog, go to work and smile. This is Zen. Not everything can be like Health Care Reform (HCR). Big, important and contentious. Yet even the challenges of HCR are made up of 'feeding the dog, going to work and smiling'.

For some reason I sense that in FDR's time there was a lot more unity in the country. Maybe this is just nature human mind, wishing things were different, recasting the past in a positive light. I feel torn apart by all the greed, fear, anger surrounding HCR.

Will a leader emerge to unite the country before implosion?

Optimum Hole Sizes (Inches) for Common Birdhouse Nesting Species

American Kestrel	3
Ash-Throated Flycatcher	1 1/2
Barn Owl	6
Black-Capped Chickadee	1 1/8
Carolina Wren	1 1/2
Downy Woodpecker	1 1/4
Eastern Bluebird	1 1/2
House Finch	2
House Wren	1 1/4
Northern Flicker	2 1/2
Prothonotary Warbler	1 1/8
Purple Martin	2 1/2
Tufted Titmouse	1 1/4
Violet-Green Swallow	1 1/2
White-Breasted Nuthatch	1 1/4

Saint Andrew

2009-08-10T20:53:00.000-07:00

"Saint Andrew", number 132 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Completely amazing the world we live in. Robert Aitken, who lives in Hawaii, talks about a statue of St. Andrew that he enjoys and 5 minutes on the internets and I have a picture, a very detailed description a map on how to get there and even a clear aerial photograph. (No google maps street view yet.)

What an amazing world!

St. Andrew being preached to by the fish!

St. Andrew statue

The sculpture was donated by Robbins Battell, Mary Morris Anderson and their children. Carlton Winslow, architect of the Cathedral, designed the fountain, constructed by Mario Valdastri and Son. Ivan Mestrovic designed the statue of St. Andrew the Apostle; Robert Laurent sculpted the fish.

That is the statue in the lower part of the image.

The Empty Space

2009-08-09T05:18:00.000-07:00

"The Empty Space", number 131 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Rufus Hummingbird
From WoodenZen

Today seems like a good day for some reflection on this book and my treatment of it.

Like these miniatures, my treatment has been up and down. The quality of my attention to the topics is uneven. "The Empty Space" is about how by creating an empty space of no expectations, we create an unencumbered life. Or "The Empty Space" is about how we can not hide our true nature from the the universe.

Either way, I would have said it differently. And that is the point isn't it. This is Robert Aitken's book not mine. I am so happy to have found Robert even though I've never met him. I've only known him through is writing. That is enough.

This miniature turns out to have a happy ending. But that is not the point. Life ends how it ends. Happy or not is not the point. In the end what matters is moment to moment presence.

Here are some questions I'll ask myself at the end.

Am I awake?
Did I love?
Who is it that is ending?
Was I kind?

Here we go! Why wait! Question everything, especially your preparation for the end.

Go create 'the empty space' life lives in!

The Eight Fold Path

2009-08-08T20:44:00.000-07:00

"The Eight Fold Path", number 130 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The fundamentals.

The Palaka Shirt

2009-08-07T20:17:00.000-07:00

"The Palaka Shirt", number 129 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The Palaka shirt is a traditional Hawaiian shirt. It had a purpose in the past and is still warn by old-timers.

Some things connect us with the past and we often are unaware of the true nature of those connections. Is affinity with one's past, part of one's character? Does poor affinity equal poor character?

What would affinity with one's future be called? Does affinity for one's future equal healthy character?

When I was young I didn't know a past to have affinity for. I only had a future. Now that I'm older the equation is reversed. Lots of past and not so much future. As I get as old as Aitken Roshi, I'll have eons of past and little future.

Or is all this the trick time plays on us?

Forever returning to the question, "Who hears?".

The Mountain Stream

2009-08-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

"The Mountain Stream", number 128 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Today starts "Book IV". The mountain stream in this miniature refers to a comforting talisman the Roshi conjures up. How, why and even the specifics are unimportant.

Let's take this matter up intimately. I carry a snake in my spine. It sure enjoys when I give it attention and stretch it. Usually curled a bit. Loves straightening. During the day and on the zafu. I'm surprised just how intimate this is.

The Fragrant Emperor

2009-08-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

"The Fragrant Emperor", number 127 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Be decent. This is a reoccurring theme, both in this book and in life. We can not be reminded too much to "be decent".

This "be decent" is something that would be helpful in our current political and economic situation. I see so much indecency on the news, particularly around health care reform. I recently heard the argument that the divide in health care reform debate was one between those that valued personal freedom more and those that valued societal cohesion more. What makes this debate particular to Americans is that those who value personal freedom over all else have been a disruptive element of American society since its inception.

I'm encouraged by a recently Op-Ed piece on The Health Care Blog titled "Health in all policies" by physicians Susan Blumenthal, M.D. and Denis Cortese, M.D. In it they frame the conversation so as to shift things away from a conversation about 'disease and death care' and move towards a focus on health. Living healthy and encouraging healthy behaviors is the way out of the mess we are in.

"... medical care alone does not determine our health status. Decades of scientific research shows that our health habits – the choices we make regarding tobacco, alcohol, food and exercise – and the communities we call home – with their transportation systems, workplaces, schools and environments – all impact our health. That's why health promotion and disease prevention must be cornerstones of health reform. A broad range of policy changes, such as regulating tobacco products, nutrition policy changes including implementing healthier school lunch programs, encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption, labeling food content in supermarkets and restaurants, funding bicycle paths and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, expanding parkland development and improving air and water quality – when taken together – can dramatically improve the health of Americans."

I think the doctors tread too lightly on the troubles with our food supply. There is a correlation between the health of our farms and the health of our people. Commodity subsidies, price controls along with the corporatization of the farm has degraded the health of our food supply. Problems in our food supply and the problems of our health are intimately related.

"You can only know you know after you've been it. And in order to be it, you've got to give up knowing you know. It's a fantastic paradox." Baba Ram Dass

Wrong as Hell

2009-08-04T05:30:00.001-07:00

"Wrong as Hell", number 126 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

What things are 'wrong as hell'? Poverty, AIDS, hunger & war.

Agree or disagree, see the following.

"Accept every moment as an opportunity presented to you to practice facing reality as it is." Dainin Katagiri

At Waimanalo Pier

2009-08-03T05:09:00.000-07:00

"At Waimanalo Pier", number 125 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is about the opportunities a parent has for kindness. Not having kids, I can only relate in a relative way.

Yet kindness is never not appreciated. At home or work there is always room for more kindness. There can never be too much kindness.

Robert Aitken says "Sunday should be a day of sympathy and support." This is a bit too defined and restrictive. Not likely his intent. Sunday is no special day. Every day, every moment is an opportunity for kindness. It is true we don't see as much kindness at work or school. We can say "I'll be kind today, right now and not wait." Certainly Aitken wasn't suggesting reserving sympathy and support and only bringing it out on Sundays.

Yet, traditions can be built and be very helpful. Regularly taking time to rest and revitalize was likely the original intent of the sabbath.

"When you forget yourself and put your wholehearted effort into facing every moment, then you can really enjoy your life." Dainin Katagiri

Truth Telling

2009-08-02T05:21:00.000-07:00

"Truth Telling", number 124 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Telling the truth is part of Right Speech. Right speech is more than telling the truth.

Speech is a tool, a powerful tool that some of us are less then fully skilled at using. I include myself in this group.

I noticed yesterday that I was using speech to protect myself. Not speaking is a use of speech. It is my nature to withdraw and become quiet when confronted. Maybe more skillful than blurting out but still leave plenty of room for improvement.

This, examination of my actions is made available to me because of my zazen practice. Separating experiences from thoughts about them changes the tone of life lived through me. When I'm uncritical, don't watch the thought patterns, I slip into old and predictably poor modes of interaction. Seeing a small gap in the flood of thoughts is occasionally enough to wake me to a more skillful mode of interaction.

Right speech starts with no thought. To be clear what is meant by thought, any thought that is heard in your head, is one told to us by ego, by our conditioning. Examine the truthfulness of the stories we tell ourselves.

My experience is that they are not a reflection of reality. They are usually just a reflection of other stories we've told ourselves before. These stories are seem so real, so personal. Our stories plead with us to listen to them. Yet when we do we are not comforted by them. A story about a story about a story based on something told to us by someone else living in their own stories. How did all this start? This makes them untrue, false, dare I even say that they are lies.

It is the stories we tell our selves that get in the way from us speaking in uplifting ways. Drop the stories is the work. Not at all easy.

Zazen is the tool of choice for this kind of work.

Now for something completely different. I found this in my RSS reader today an would love to share. Fun, light and oh so true.

BUDDHA'S DOGS By Susan Browne
I'm at a day-long meditation retreat, eight hours of watching my mind with my mind, and I already fell asleep twice and nearly fell out of my chair, and it's not even noon yet. In the morning session, I learned to count my thoughts, ten in one minute, and the longest was to leave and go to San Anselmo and shop, then find an outdoor cafe and order a glass of Sancerre, smoked trout with roasted potatoes and baby carrots and a bowl of gazpacho.
But I stayed and learned to name my thoughts, so far they are: wanting, wanting, wanting, wanting, wanting, wanting, wanting, wanting, judgment, sadness. Don't identify with your thoughts, the teacher says, you are not your personality, not your ego-identification, then he bangs the gong for lunch. Whoever, whatever I am is given instruction in the walking meditation and the eating meditation and walks outside with the other meditators, and we wobble across the lake like The Night of the Living Dead.
I meditate slowly, falling over a few times because I kept my foot in the air too long, towards a bench, sit slowly down, and slowly eat my sandwich, noticing the bread, (sourdough), noticing the taste, (tuna, sourdough), noticing the smell, (sourdough, tuna), thanking the sourdough, the tuna, the ocean, the boat, the fisherman, the field, the grain, the farmer, the Saran Wrap that kept this food fresh for this body made of food and desire and the hope of getting through the rest of this day without dying of boredom. Sun then cloud then sun. I notice a maple leaf on my sandwich. It seems awfully large.
Slowly brushing it away, I feel so sad I can hardly stand it, so I name my thoughts; they are: sadness about my mother, judgment about my father, wanting the child I never had. I notice I've been chasing the same thoughts like dogs around the same park most of my life, notice the leaf tumbling gold to the grass. The gong sounds, and back in the hall, I decide to try lying down meditation, and let myself sleep. The Buddha in my dream is me, surrounded by dogs wagging their tails, licking my hands.
I wake up for the forgiveness meditation, the teacher saying, never put anyone out of your heart, and the heart opens and knows it won't last and will have to open again and again, chasing those dogs around and around in the sun then cloud then sun.

Sixty Miles an Hour

2009-08-01T20:00:00.000-07:00

"Sixty Miles an Hour", number 123 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Each day I look at these miniatures. Sometimes nothing, sometimes something. That is how it goes. Learn not to have expectations, to see each opportunity as a gift. Smile with the universe.

The Listening Project

2009-07-31T05:42:00.000-07:00

"The Listening Project", number 122 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This will seem a bit odd. A disconnect from the title of this miniature.

Inter-cultural strife is usually the result of deeply held convictions about injustices done decades or centuries ago.

In this miniature, Robert Aitken presents this in the context of a project meant to heal war strife in the former Yugoslavia.

My life is a microcosm of this phenomena. Much of the interpersonal strife in my life can be directly attributed to ideas that float up in me. Ideas of superiority or of certainty well up in me and prevent me from seeing what is real and helpful.

I can see this in the context of moment by moment life as I live it, here and now with my partner, reading Sunset Magazine. I see her certainty about the situation, how the story is melded to match an idea of superiority.

In the old days, I may have joined in. In recent days, I may have chided her. Today I break through to see myself here and now. I see the ways that I do the same. Hugs and holding hands seems to be the clearest course of action. Love and companionship are the antidote to certainty and superiority.

My partner is my greatest teacher.

Remembered in Museums

2009-07-30T05:41:00.000-07:00

"Remembered in Museums", number 121 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Evolution does not only work in the species realm. Societies and cultures evolve sometimes in ways we like and sometimes they violently morph and die. This death is sometimes self-inflicted, otherwise when so called advanced societies subvert so called primitive societies, much cultural knowledge has to be rediscovered.

Just as with species extinction, our involvement in societal degradation is unavoidable. Watch for romantic or dismissal portrayals of lost societies. Both are common traps.

Museums hold all the evidence of once thriving societies. Cultures now dominant will one day be reduced to a curator's dream.

Kenneth Rexroth

2009-07-29T05:55:00.000-07:00

"Kenneth Rexroth", number 120 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature, Aitken Roshi cries out praise for one of his contemporary poets, Kenneth Rexroth. Till I did a little research, I didn't have a clue who this Kenneth Rexroth was. Turns out he was influential in the beat poetry scene and a prolific translator of Japanese and Chinese women's poetry.

He was friends with Gary Snyder, Philip Whalen, Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac. Ledgend has it that Jack Kerouac hit on Kenneth's daughter causing a rift between Kenneth and Jack. He spent time in the Marblemount region of the North Cascades, the same area so influential in the poetry of Synder, Whalen and Kerouac. An organizer of the infamous Six Gallery poetry reading of October 13, 1955.

In trying to educate myself about Kenneth Rexroth, I found the Wikipedia article on him to be quite helpful.

I found a small sampling of Kenneth Rexroth's poems on line at Bureau of Public Secrets.

From ON FLOWER WREATH HILL

This world of ours, before we
Can know its fleeting sorrows,
We enter it through tears.
Do the reverberations
Of the evening bell of
The mountain temple ever
Totally die away?
Memory echoes and reechoes
Always reinforcing itself.
No wave motion ever dies.
The white waves of the wake of
The boat that rows away into
The dawn, spread and lap on the
Sands of the shores of all the world.

As the full moon rises . . .

As the full moon rises
The swan sings
In sleep
On the lake of the mind.

K.R.

"... But surely he'll be rediscovered." Thank you, Roshi. Kenneth Rexroth has been rediscovered.

Obedient Objects

2009-07-28T06:19:00.001-07:00

"Obedient Objects", number 119 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

The idea of the "innate perversity of inanimate objects" is so common our culture that it has its own acronym. IPIO This is the idea that objects are unknowable and have "a mind of their own".

Objects are true to their nature. This is not a mystery. They can be nothing other than what they are and can not act in ways that they don't. People, scientists, theologian, 'we the people' may not understand objects nature but that is a reflection on our ignorance not proof that inanimate object have the innate perversity.

Perversity is defined as:

turning away from what is right or good : corrupt
improper, incorrect
contrary to the evidence
obstinate in opposing what is right, reasonable, or accepted
arising from or indicative of stubbornness or obstinacy

These are all our human value judgments that sadly get projected onto the natural world. Often with unfortunate consequences.

The earth will eventually heal itself of our polluting ways. A million years from now the earth will just be a planet coursing through space. It will have whatever makeup it has. It is pretty arrogant to think otherwise.

Our Elders

2009-07-27T20:35:00.001-07:00

"Our Elders", number 118 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Popular culture is a poor substitute for communal culture. There are now not any elders in my life and I'm poorer for it. Seems to me that the generation before mine also had/has a dearth of mentoring elders. Who will break this chain of catastrophe?

What Works for You?

2009-07-26T20:09:00.001-07:00

"What Works for You?", number 117 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

"Career, Family, Zen Practice, each one affects the others. The proper proportions of the mix for one student will not be the same as they are for another. This is not a dilemma. Choose your mix and make it work."
Robert Aitken Roshi

My mix is different from yours. Let's not compare. As I look, I feel comfortable with the constellation that is my life. Yet it is undergoing some tweaking.

My career, Medical Digital Imaging Specialist, is challenging and rewarding. It does take up a huge portion of my life and does supply a corresponding amount of support to my external life. This is in contrast to the support Zen practice supplies to my internal life.

Are these two supposed aspects of life as separate as that previous sentence makes them out to be? Let's hope not.

One aspect of my life not accounted for by this miniature's mixture, is my flow side or what is otherwise known as wood working. This is in the mix and feels more important as time goes on.

When the great Chinese Zen master Ta-mei was dying, his students asked him for a final helpful word. "When it comes, don't try to avoid it; when it goes, don't run after it," he said. Just then, a squirrel chattered on the roof. "There is only this, there is nothing else," said Ta-mei, and then he died.
Francis Dojun Cook, How to Raise an Ox, Wisdom Publications

All Beings Are Sick

2009-07-25T07:58:00.001-07:00

"All Beings Are Sick", number 116 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In the Vimalakirti Sutra, Vimalakirti said to Manjusri, "I am sick because all living beings are sick."

Vimalakirti understands that he is not separate. How do we understand it? This notion of a separate self is oh so persistent. The sense of a me flows and ebbs with the tides of daily life.

My craft-work is a mirror of my sense of a separate identity. I'm a woodworker by avocation. I'm learning to carve and as I practice I lose track of time, I feel the knife as an extension of my hand or eye, the sounds of the wood chips peeling off of the knife mesmerize. Where is this persistent separate self then?

Jaye Seiho Morris, over at the Digital Zendo, has posted a three part (so far) article called "Zen Without Jargon". Right of the bat, Jaye goes to the heart of it. What is Zen?

"Frequently I hear Zen translated as "meditation." In my gut whenever people used that expression, It didn't seem right, but I didn't know why. But one day while living at a Monastery, I heard Eido Roshi speaking and he said, "Zen better said or put means Unification. Unify your Heart. Unify Everything.""

Anzan Hoshin, over at White Wind Zen Community, in his newsletter, has gifted us with a piece of his commentary on Eihei Dogen Yuibutsu Yobutsu [Only Buddha and Buddha], which appears in his masterwork Shōbōgenzō [True Dharma Eye Treasury]. In it he addresses this unification in a very graphical way.

"Seeing with the eyes of a Buddha is the unsurpassed wisdom of intimacy and is itself the path of Zen. To practice the path without recognizing the face-and-eye of the Buddhas as our own face is like not knowing whether the nose itches or doesn't."

This is what Vimalakirti points to. "Unify your heart."

This is a myth story that has alway moved me. We have opportunity at every moment, with every action, with every thought, to feed and nurture life. We can choose either a positive, expansive, unifying meal or a negative, constrictive, separating meal. The choice is ours. The results are mirrored back to us in our daily lives.

One evening, an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.   

He said, “My son, the battle is between two ‘wolves’ inside us all. One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, greed, and arrogance. The other is Good - It is peace, love, hope, humility, compassion, and faith.”

  The grandson thought about this for a while and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?”  

To which the old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Overhead Wiring

2009-07-24T07:25:00.001-07:00

"Overhead Wiring" number 115 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

As progress occurs, we go from overhead wiring to underground wiring, from survival to aesthetics, from disease-care to health-care.

"That is assuming that people will be around to make this possible."

Do you feel the commitment to finish reading books you start? I used to. Now I freely stop reading books that don't hold my attention. A while ago I started giving away books with no expectation of return. I even give away books that I greatly enjoyed. I still hang on to reference books.

Today I came across the argument that books that are poorly written should be thrown out rather than given away on the premise that so many people feel committed to finishing a book and giving them a poor book wastes their time. Agreed!

Rest in natural great peace
This exhausted mind
Beaten helpless by karma and neurotic thought,
Like the relentless fury of the pounding waves
In the infinite ocean of samsara.

poem by Nyoshul Khenpo

"When effort is spent making something, there are tangible results from the expense of energy."
Doug Stowe "Wisdom of the Hands"

Choosing Your Battle

2009-07-23T17:52:00.001-07:00

"Choosing Your Battle" number 114 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

I'm unable to get anything out of today's miniature. Of course, that in itself is something. I can 'choose my own battles' and this miniature isn't one of them.

The Noble Cause

2009-07-22T06:39:00.001-07:00

"The Noble Cause" number 113 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The Civil War was a long time ago and still is part of today's dialog in parts of the United States. Here in Moscow Idaho, we have our ties to the Civil War. I won't go into the details other than to say in my home town there is a fundamentalist Christian group, who's minister co-authored a book that espouses unconventional and unpopular views of slavery and the Civil War.

One hundred fifty years from now, what will be seen as my generations "Noble Cause" and who will be its deniers?

There is a online 100 day practice period opportunity being offered by Dosho Port. I don't know if this is the first of its kind but this is surly early in the virtual online practice September 12 through December 19.

Background
100-days of zazen and dharma study will help stabilize and deepen your practice – if you turn the dharma wheel, the wheel will turn back. It is inspired by the 90 or 100-day practice periods during the rainy season that monks and nuns have done since the Buddha’s days. Katagiri Roshi might have been the first to start non-residential practice periods. The idea is the same:
make a commitment
work your edge
and follow through (forgiving yourself when you don't and beginning again).

During this practice period Dosho will be leading study on Dogen's Genjokoan. There will be 11 Webex seminars along with Skype dokusan and a focused and guided study of the text of Dogen's Genjokoan.

All sounds so inviting.

Step'um

2009-07-21T21:05:00.000-07:00

"Step'um" number 112 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

One action always leads to another action. Sometimes the relationship is clear and sometimes not.

In this miniature, Robert Aitken explores how our actions are learned and perpetuated throughout the generations. Decisive yet small interactions occur while we are often distracted by seemingly 'important' stuff.

We do things because our mothers told us to do them. Our mothers tell us to do things because their mothers told them to do them. On and on back in time without any examination.

Today we wonder why we act the way we do. As if it was a big mystery.

Till now I've spoke only as the collective "we". Now I must atone for all my bad actions.

Gatha of Atonement
All evil karma ever committed by me since of old,
On account of my beginningless greed, anger and ignorance,
Born of my body, mouth and thought—
I now make confess fully and openly.

The World of Make-Believe

2009-07-20T06:50:00.001-07:00

"The World of Make-Believe" number 111 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

How to cope with the question of the world of make believe? Robert Aitken points out that "we don't know we are making believe" and these made up believes "encroach on our world and actually endanger it."

This is one of the hopeful signs of Zen practice, this waking up from making believe. Each one of us makes a difference. Someday there will be a tipping point and our world will be a little less endangered.

This 'make believe' occurs on both the gross and subtle levels. Whole cultural genres are grossly make believe. Some are so easy to see how they "encroach on our world and actually endanger it." Violent computer games. pornography, horror movies, patriotism, war mongering, Santa Claus, etc.

Subtler forms of make believe are so much more, well subtle. If we pay attention to our thinking we cannot help but notice all the make believe.

I feel like I've held back here. It is easy for me to say that "such and such" out in the world is make believe. The examples like those above seem outside of me. First we identify those notions that are make believe that are in us. This is some hard work.

Son of a Famous Man Syndrome

2009-07-19T07:40:00.001-07:00

"Son of a Famous Man Syndrome" number 110 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

This miniature ends with "Watch out! You might succeed!"

You don't have to be the 'son of a famous man" to use this as a life koan. Commonly implied on this is the idea that there is something negative about success. At least that is how Robert Aitken used the expression. And yet, it could easily be twisted to the notion admonishing the careful attention that leads to success.

The suddenness of a shout to "Watch out!", brings us up to the moment. Dropped are the stories of this and that. Continuously dropping the story of my existence. Subtler and subtler, till even the notion of any thing separate to drop or any time in which anything seperate can exist, drops away.

Till then, "Watch out! You might succeed!"

The Illegal Annexation

2009-07-18T07:32:00.001-07:00

"The Illegal Annexation" number 109 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The title of this miniature refers to the United States annexation of the Hawaiian Islands in 1898. Yet another indigenous culture subverted and co-opted.

The US government with the help of the US Marines, Navy and a few individuals on the islands conspired to overthrow the Hawaiian monarchy. They tried twice before 1898. Then the Spanish-American War was used as an excuse to unilaterally annex the Hawaiian Islands in order to utilize the Hawaiian Islands as a military base to fight the Spanish in Guam and the Philippines. There still is a independent state of the Hawaiian Kingdom and native Hawaiians still feel that they are living under occupation.

The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. ~ Albert Einstein

My world is so small and privileged. I didn't see the pain of the Hawaiian Kingdom. All of this is sad. Both that it happened and my ignorance of it. How much of existence is like this? I don't have to look so far away to see my ignorance.

Open letter to the neighbourhood coyotes.

The morning is a cool and quite time here. July has brought some welcome rains. The fields are ripening and harvesting will start soon. We moved here to this canyon many years ago. There were less people here then. We soon discovered that this canyon was the migratory pathway for many animals. It is the least populated pathway from the summer high country of Moscow Mountain and the warm winter fields along the Clearwater River.

We hear you and your clan most evenings as you broadcast your locations and signal each other. Your life is so hard and we humans have complicated it. We move into your territory and bring with us our domesticated dogs. When you defend your domain we shot you and curse your name. Then we turn around and wonder why there are so many porcupines eating our planted trees.

Walking our usual trails, we see your scat and wonder about you. Are you safe, are you happy, are you getting enough to eat? It looks like it!

Please watch out. Some of our neighbours are not to keen on your being in the neighbourhood and they have guns. Please watch out. Wolves have been reintroduced to our area and sighting have been reported as close as fifty miles east of here. This canyon being an elk migratory path, it is only a matter of time till the wolves move in. Please watch out. Harvest is about to start. Big combines and lots of truck traffic. Look both ways before crossing the roads.

You have adapted will to our presence. So far you have not been able to catch our cats or the rabbits that live down by the shop. We are thankful for your presence. My heart is open.
Peace.

Your neighbour,
Will

I came across this great poem this morning. Really warm and encouraging. It is by Adam Genkaku Fisher and is posted on his great blog, which can be found at http://genkaku-again.blogspot.com/

Don't interrupt.

Blue sky.
Don't interrupt.
Warm or chilling thoughts.
Don't interrupt.
Talking to a friend.
Don't interrupt.
Blissful or confusing times.
Don't interrupt.
Looking both ways before crossing the street.
Don't interrupt.
Thinking profound thoughts, believing or finding meaning.
Don't interrupt.
Walking the dog or preparing the taxes.
Don't interrupt.
Making an effort not to interrupt.
Don't interrupt.
Interrupting.
Don't interrupt.

To this I'll add somewhere in the middle -

Coyotes singing in the still evening
Don't interrupt

The Naming of Children

2009-07-17T07:08:00.000-07:00

"The Naming of Children" number 108 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I have no children. What comes up for me is a cacophony of miscellanea.

My parents named me William, after my dad
Some people are cursed with inappropriate names by confused parents
and have to pay a price their whole lives. Given the possibilities, I'm
happy with William.
William was the 8th most popular name given in 2008. If you are curious about the prevalence of your first name, go here and enter it in the query box.
Marilyn is the first name of the person with the worlds highest IQ. A different Marilyn lives near me and her IQ is not all that high.
He went by Bill and I went by Billy till I revolted. I'm now known as Will.

The Midway Rail

2009-07-16T06:34:00.001-07:00

"The Midway Rail" number 107 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

According to the Midway Atoll NWR Bird List and Seabird Population Estimates, The Laysan Rail (Poranual palmeri) was first introduced to the Midway Atoll, then became extinct.

Robert Aitken, talks of his experience of the bird and refers to this bird as the "Midway Rail". He talks of how a amateur ornithologist captured, killed and mounted one of these small birds.

If I were there, I too would have found this objectionable. A bit of cruelty on a bit of consciousness no different from my own bit. It is still sad, even now.

Aitken's "Midway Rail"

The story of this little bird is even sadder than Aitken lets on. It fought for survival when rabbit were introduced to its native environment. With no predators the rabbits ate all the vegetation turning the islands into barren dusty deserts. Native to the Hawaiian Island of Laysan (Kauō), the 'Laysan Rail' was transplanted all around the Pacific but never found a home. This was a very fragile species and like canneries in mine shafts, these birds have warned us and are even now asking us to be mindful.

Prevalence of Gays

2009-07-15T21:18:00.001-07:00

"Prevalence of Gays" number 106 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Supposedly homosexuality is widespread in Japan as it is everywhere. Okay, I don't see it but if you say so.

The topic of gays in Buddhism bores me as it is just not relevant to my experience. There are gays in my sangha, just like there are left handed people and even a couple of odd red-heads. Now if there was a prevalence of Republicans in Buddhism, that would be something to see.

Love

2009-07-14T21:47:00.001-07:00

"Love" number 105 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Not so sure I agree with Aitken Roshi on this one. He states clearly that words have power. Words and bring people together as well as drive them apart. I've seen this myself.

He's confused by the notion that the particular word, "love", should be reserved for only sanctioned conversations.

At first I was going to go along with him, but realized that for me personally, I don't see the word "love" much, particularly in Zen. I don't use it enough. In a way, not using the word is a form of stinginess. Holding back from expressing love in whatever form is a type of greed or maybe a manifestation of a fear.

From WoodenZen

May all beings feel loved.

The Drunk

2009-07-13T21:02:00.000-07:00

"The Drunk" number 104 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

This miniature is both about the perils of drunkenness and learning to be decent.

Once you accept that your life is none of your business, then you can
go about the business of living unfettered by the usual worries. If this holds true, then it is true for everyone.

When confronted by a drunk, they are drunk and you are confronted. There is no need for them the "busnify" their situation. There is no need for them the "busnify" your situation. It just is. Also no need for us to muck around in the business of our collective situation. Being unfettered in this way, it becomes easy and automatic to act decent. There no prescription for exactly how to act, life and the moment will dictate. Our job is to just get out of the way and above all don't "busnify" life.

Once you accept the life needs no "busnification", the thing called you can relax and just enjoy life.

What is meant by "life is none of your business"? When we make something into a business endeavor, we set up goals, we measure outcomes, we strive to succeed, we fear losing, we keep balance sheets, we find ways to have protection, and a slew of other activities that fix us, fixate our energy away from the continuous invention the is life. The "busnification" of our life clogs the natural flow of existence that we seek.

What is meant by "act decent"? Decent here is the antidote of unconscious. A synonym would be "right action". Not in opposition to "wrong" action, instead aligned with the unfettered mind, freely steeped in "life is none of your business". There is not way of knowing what a decent act will actually look like in advance. It could be kind, soft and quiet or stern, loud and sudden.

Each moment invents endlessly. Just get out of the way!

Love Never Faileth

2009-07-12T07:18:00.001-07:00

"Love Never Faileth" number 103 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Ancient Bones 2008

As a boy, Robert Aitken was moved by St. Paul's "Love Never Faileth". He questioned and wondered about this and by his own admission "to this day, I can't put into other words."

I am a child of a different generation. When I considered how I would say "Love Never Faileth", immediately, out of the ether appeared "Love Is the Answer."

Love is the answer that never fails.

MIND GAMES
John Lennon

We're playing those mind games together,
Pushing barriers, planting seeds,
Playing the mind guerilla,
Chanting the Mantra peace on earth,

We all been playing mind games forever,
Some kinda druid dudes lifting the veil.
Doing the mind guerilla,
Some call it the search for the grail,
Love is the answer and you know that for sure,
Love is flower you got to let it, you got to let it grow,

So keep on playing those mind games together,
Faith in the future outta the now,
You just can't beat on those mind guerillas,
Absolute elsewhere in the stones of your mind,
Yeah we're playing those mind games forever,
Projecting our images in space and in time,
Yes is the answer and you know that for sure,
Yes is the surrender you got to let it, you got to let it go,

So keep on playing those mind games together,
Doing the ritual dance in the sun,
Millions of mind guerrillas,
Putting their soul power to the karmic wheel,
Keep on playing those mind games forever,
Raising the spirit of peace and love, not war,
(I want you to make love, not war, I know you've heard it before)

Our sangha, the Palouse Zen Community, is reading Joko Beck's book 'Everyday Zen'. I came across a snippet that I'd like to share here. It discribes how practice evolves.

Intelligent zazen means making a subtle shift constantly, step by step; first from grosser levels to the more sublte, and to the more subtle, and to the more subtle; beginning to see right through what we call our personality... We begin to really look at the mind, the body, the thoughts, the sense perceptions, everything that we thought was ourself.

Yes, I can see that there is a difference between "intelligent zazen" and just sitting on the absent mindedly, daydreaming on the cushion.

"What Buddhism really has to teach [Westerners] is
how to relate more closely with [their] own experience, in its
freshness, its fullness, and its immediacy. To do this, one does not
have to become a Buddhist, but one does have to practice meditation."

Chögyam Trungpa, The Sanity We Are Born With

Guidelines

2009-07-11T07:57:00.001-07:00

"Guidelines" number 102 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

Guidelines

It doesn't matter if they are for writing, for woodworking or for zazen, guidelines help us navigate our activities. They are not rules in the sense that it is a mistake or bad to ignore them. They are more like signposts, intended to encourage and give points of reflection.

Zendo procedures are guidelines for our practice together. They are designed to keep everything running smoothly. As guidelines, these procedures allow the mind to relax. All the little decisions that the mind usually dramatizes are predetermined. All we have to do is give up to the procedures and to the schedule.

Here are guidelines for the practice of walking meditation, kinhin.

At the end of a sitting period, the jikijitsu or time keeper, will strike the bell twice. The first bell ends the sitting mediation and the second signals you to gassho in the sitting position and then quietly stand, facing in. Hands in gassho. When jikijitsu strikes clappers, gassho and place hands in kinhin position, at the level of the navel, right hand holding left hand, left hand holding right thumb. Turn to your left and promptly step out to follow the person in front of you. While maintaining your practice, walk slowly keeping the distance between you and the person in front of you the same as you proceed around the room. As people step out of line to use the restroom, let the gap remain as is. When they return, allow them to rejoin the kinhin line by entering at their place. When the clappers sound, maintain the same pace until you are in front of your cushion and stand facing in toward the sangha. Bow facing the sangha, then turn and bow to your cushion. Sit facing the wall to resume zazen.

Guidelines can also be a way for us to connect with our mentors. Robert Aitken points out in this miniature that we get specific guidelines from specific people. The guidelines are connected to actual guides. These guides are interconnected in a web that Buddhists can "The Jewel Net of Indra". Robert Aitken also points out that it is up to each of us to acknowledge our guides, recognize the guidelines given and then "it's up to me to follow through."

In the end, guidelines only work if we follow through. Guidelines are lines connecting us to our guides.

I was told by a couple of people that this book would become a bit tedious. That these miniatures were, well, a bit miniature. Without enough substance.

I disagree. Robert Aitken, packs both obvious and hidden chunks of the wisdom in each miniature. Sometimes I see this wisdom, sometimes not. This is a reflection of my energy and effort and not Aitken's. Because these writings are called miniatures, doesn't mean I'm off the hook and can be miniature in my reflection.

Besides, I'm having fun!

Gratitude

2009-07-10T06:34:00.001-07:00

"Gratitude" number 101 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

When we talk about gratitude, it's easy to get confused.

That's because there are two kinds of gratitude. The usual kind is the kind we learned about in Kindergarten. We solemnly express thankfulness for receiving something. That something could be a thing, or a constellation of non-material stuff.

The other type of gratitude comes not out of some personal action, but is the feeling/tone that grows out of resting the thinking brain. This resting of the thinking brain is referred to as "nonthinking". It is a very tricky thing. As soon as we think we're "thinking not-thinking", we're thinking. We have to be on constant guard, but it is worth it. Here we get to touch the gratitude that permeates the universe. Gratitude that confirms unity.

"We always measure things by our personal yardsticks. For example, if you experience a great feeling from your "not-thinking," you may say, "Wow, this is great!" But this is already measurement. Finally, neither "not-thinking" nor "thinking" hits the mark. So instead of measuring something by your yardstick, just try to be right in the middle of the world. This is called "nonthinking." It is nothing but practice; sit down there, peacefully, harmoniously. But watch out. Every day, from moment to moment, watch out, because egoistic consciousness is always coming up."
Katagiri Roshi

Yes indeed, watch out! Express the first type of gratitude and make yourself available to the second.

The Middle Initial

2009-07-08T15:18:00.001-07:00

"The Middle Initial" number 99 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Continuing yesterday's theme of simplicity and simple tasks, today's miniature comments on focusing on details.

I have a few details needing attending to.

This endeavor, to comment on every on of Robert Aitken's "Miniatures of a Zen Master", continues. Tomorrow I'll be half done. I'm feeling the desire to switch strategies and yet I feel committed to my current path. Dilemma. The only way to know is to do, so I'll continue on.

I have been announcing every one of my posts on Twitter but am now seeing that this may be a form of spam and wearing on the crowd. This is especially true as I rarely now am contributing anything but these blogging announcements. This strategy is being rethought for the first time.

We experienced a lightening strike very near our house. It hit a tree next to where the underground phone line crosses the underground power feed for the shop. Shops power breaker was tripped but no damage seen yet. The electrical surge in the phone line caused the DSL modem, the wireless router, the PC, and the laser printer all to die. Only the printer may be repairable. Lots of bits and bits lost. Opportunity to support the local computer shops.

So much for personal navel gazing. Onward to miniature 100 tomorrow. "Danger Man"

The Myth of Sisyphus

2009-07-07T11:44:00.001-07:00

"The Myth of Sisyphus" number 98 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a condemned to pushing a heavy rock up a hill only to have it roll back down before he could reach the top. Endlessly he was forced to begin again and again.

Unlike many, the author Albert Camus, in his 1942 essay The Myth of Sisyphus, saw through this absurdity and postulated that "one must imagine Sisyphus happy" as "The struggle itself
towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart."

Here is a link to the crux in chapter four of Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus.

Indeed, the idea of a "Sisyphean task" being a punishment is something concocted by the ego. The ego see no reward in repetitive simple tasks. When the whole being exerts itself on no grand accomplishment or the as we say in Zen the accomplishment of nothing, then happiness ensues.

Metaphysically, if something exists, nothing else can exist in its place. In order for happiness to come into existence, first nothing must exist. There must be a space for the arising of happiness. Seeing this space of nothing is to be the master of our days. Set about our absurdly human and utterly simple tasks, over and over, always beginning, never ending.

Thomas Thaherne

2009-07-06T14:51:00.001-07:00

"Thomas Thaherne" number 97 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

"You never know the world aright till the Sea floweth in your Veins, till you are Clothed with the Heavens, and Crowned with the Stars; And perceive yourself to be the Sole Heir of the Whole World; And more then so, because Men are in it who are every on Sole Heirs, as well as you. Till you are intimately Acquainted with that Shady nothing out of which this World is made; Till your spirit filleth the whole World and the Stars are your Jewels; Till you love Men so as to Desire their Happiness with a thirst equal to the zeal of your own."

Centuries of Meditation
Thomas Thaherne (1636-1674)

The Jewels

2009-07-05T06:49:00.001-07:00

"The Jewels" number 96 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In today's miniature, Robert Aitken refers to the jewels of practice. It is surprising where these jewels appear and when they do their appearance transforms the ordinary into the ordinary.

Sometimes the jewels take the form of liturgy, sometimes they'll manifest in teisho or in dokusan. Sometimes we see them, sometimes hear them, sometimes read them.

In the pre-dawn stillness, the neighborhood birds call one another. We sit together, our Samādhi mudrā holding the universe in our laps.

I am a wood worker. Turning wood is a skill I've developed and now apply in my practice. I continue to look for ways to integrate woodworking into my Zen practice in the same way pottery, archery, flower arranging, poetry or calligraphy is traditionally married to Zen. Here are the fruits of a small part of my practice with Zen and woodworking.

Looking for a rakusu ring?
Follow link to more information .

Here is a link to Gary Snyder reading a couple of poems. For Poet Gary Snyder, Every Day is Earth Day He reads an excerpt from Han-Shan's "Cold Mountain." and his poem "Off the Trail."

Circumambulation

2009-07-04T06:39:00.001-07:00

"Circumambulation" number 95 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Circumambulation means to go around and around. In Zen we go around and around with mind. It is helpful to have a routine so that everyone on the zendo goes in the same direction and at roughly the same speed. For some, setting these ground rules in advance is a way to take away creativity and freedom. On the contrary, give up to the rules, showing up and watching what happens is the ultimate in creativity and freedom. We don't have to be bothered with mind wanting to go in a different direction or listen to it's complaining about the speed of kinhin. We have the freedom of the unbothered.

There are lots of little rules of the zendo. Each sitting group forms their own rules following rough guidelines handed down by the unbroken lineage of Zen Masters since the Buddha. (Crap alert!) Frankly, I don't care where the rules came from or what they are. Let's just be familiar with them and practice together in harmony. They are not magic and have no special meaning. That is their special meaning. The magic of non-magic.

These little rules or customs have the same affect on us as the schedule of a sesshin does. They give us the freedom to relax into our practice and to let our usual busy mind settle a bit. We can give up just a bit of our grasping mind, our wanting things to be our way, our need to control. We can allow ourselves just a little more slack and then a little more slack, endlessly. First we see how to do this in the safe supportive environment of the zendo, then we carry this with is to work, in relationships and into the broader world.

Awareness of Time

2009-07-03T21:28:00.001-07:00

"Awareness of Time" number 94 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

How often do we lose awareness of time? More and more but still undependable. Time is such a tenacious thing. Wait, time a thing? What the hell is time anyway? Is it real or just something made up in mind? That is a dumb question! Everything is mind! But this thing called time is so sticky, it has such a hold on us, keeping us stuck in our delusion.

Practice is made up of time and non-time and the coming to grips with both. Aitken tells us that marking time while practicing will prevent the chance to let body and mind drop away. This matter of forgetting the clock is important.

Recently, I've had taken up the duties of timekeeper during Palouse Zen Community's Thursday night sittings. Now it is especially tough as I want to keep the practice period flowing smoothly. This is a new practice opportunity for me, to let the timer support me.

Enlightenment

2009-07-02T06:40:00.001-07:00

"Enlightenment" number 93 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Aitken tells of a time when a Japanese monk ask in an informal meeting, "How many people here are enlightened? Raise your hands." Apparently they all sat there stunned as I would have had I been there.

Why would this be stunning? Juxtaposed with yesterday's miniature, I in quite a quandary. Hakuin says "This very body is the Buddha." How can I say that I'm not enlightened? Yet, I surely feel at times unconnected with life, confused, hurt, frustrated, even angry at times. Could it be that these somehow are an expression of enlightenment.

What is it that we mean when we say "I'm enlightened."? We don't hear mature practitioners making that statement. Something tells me that it is a trap. Some conundrum.

This Very Body

2009-07-01T06:47:00.001-07:00

"This Very Body" number 92 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

'Song of Zazen' by Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768)

All beings by nature are Buddha
As ice by nature is water.
Apart from water there is no ice;
Apart from beings, no Buddha.

How sad that people ignore the near
And search for truth afar:
Like someone in the midst of water
Crying out in thirst;
Like a child of a wealthy home
Wandering among the poor.

Lost on dark paths of ignorance,
We wander through the six worlds;
From dark path to dark path-
When shall we be freed from birth and death?

For this the zazen of the Mahayana
Deserves the highest praise:
Generosity, patience, self-discipline,
The many paramitas
All rise within zazen

Even those with proud attainments
Wipe out their old deluded ways.
Where are all the dark paths then?
The pure land itself is near.

Much more, if you dedicate yourself to practice
And confirm your own true nature,
True nature that is no nature.
You are far beyond mere dogma.

Here effect and cause are the same,
The way is neither two nor three,
With form that is no form
Going and coming -never astray
With thought that is no thought
Singing and dancing are the voice of the law.

Boundless and free is the sky of samadhi
Bright the full moon of wisdom,
Truly, is anything missing now
Nirvana is right here before our eyes;
This very place is the lotus land,
This very body, the Buddha.

Wonderful - and yet what to make of the ending? "This very body, the Buddha." Hakuin can't be referring to me? 'How can I say the this very poop-head is enlightened?'

Aitken says that 'there is nothing more radical and presumptuous' in Zen than "This very place is the lotus land, this very body the Buddha." Agreed!

This poem is chanted everyday during sesshin and each time something new appears in the vastness of mind. The koan, how can my messed up existence, this messed up world, be Nirvana?

First Reason

2009-06-30T06:02:00.001-07:00

From WoodenZen

After the rain

"First Reason" number 91 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The initial reasons we use to take up a new practice are not important. We start where we are.

Chögyam Trungpa said that when we develop a tenderness towards ourselves we get the opportunity to see both our potential and our personal foibles. Developing an appreciation for what is the mixture and texture of our very own lives is the grounding necessary to just start. Start, the first reason quickly becomes a memory.

I can not remember why I stepped on the path of Zen. I dabbled on the 70's reading Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Shunryu Suzuki, Philip Kapleau and others. Got the opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama in San Francisco, on his first visit to America. Lots of reading and discussion. No sitting zazen practice, no work with a teacher. That started much later. But in both cases I can not remember how I got interested and at this point I'm frankly just not interested in figuring out why.

Be Decent

2009-06-29T21:24:00.001-07:00

"Be Decent" number 90 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Decent and decency are words not usually associated with Zen practice.

Being decent reminds me of being upright. The ten grave precepts. To be decent is something that comes with time, with maturity. We have to continuously mentor ourselves and be reminded to be decent. Decency is a synonym to kindness with a little more formality.

In our book group yesterday, someone referred to my confession of my occasional lack of kindness as me being judgmental. The reaction would have been the same had I used the term decent. I have to agree that to sit here and talk about some past interaction and measure the level of decency would indeed be a form of self-judgment. And yet, when in the midst of life, we can feel in our skin whether or not we are being decent. The more we practice the less we can hide from that fact.

I want to mention again my Dharma friend Robert Thurman and his most excellent podcast. Listening today as I circumnavigate the cemetery on my lunch time walk and was deeply moved. Buddhism is unabashedly about reality.

"If science proves some belief of Buddhism wrong, then Buddhism will have to change. In my view, science and Buddhism share a search for the truth and for understanding reality. By learning from science about aspects of reality where its understanding may be more advanced, I believe that Buddhism enriches its own worldview." Dalai Lama

Déjà vu

2009-06-28T07:29:00.001-07:00

"Déjà vu" number 89 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today, déjà vu.

Déjà vu, is a feeling, sometimes a jarring feeling. It not something that can be conjured up. Déjà vu feelings arise suddenly and unexpectedly.

I tend not to have this experience often. I have grown in my practice to see these paranormal experiences and feelings as normal and ordinary. Not magical at all. If I take feelings or experiences as magical, I miss being present in the moment. I still smile and wonder.

Today treatment of this miniature feels a bit light weight. The rhythm of live undulates. Show up and the sometimes the sparks grow to flames and sometimes not.

Busy day up today. My turn to fix Sunday breakfast, Zen book group this morning, woodworking clutch this afternoon, Mary makes a new dish for dinner. Kale, Mushroom and Tomato Saute with Polenta (via Whole Food Recipe appliction for the iPod Touch). More stuff added to my todo list. PalouseZen.org and KestrelCreek.com both are down. What is with technology, so undependable.

Dumbing Down

2009-06-27T18:27:00.001-07:00

"Dumbing Down" number 88 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

The word teishō refers to a presentation of the Dharma, usually by a Zen Master during a sesshin. To call it a lecture or talk is "dumb down" the Way. Some mystery and wonder enlivens the practice. There is no need to equate the Way of Zen with Sunday School.

When I first started practicing formally with the group I now practice with, I thought there was too much romanticism with Medieval Japanese culture. Now, I see that we are a bit to casual with the practice and too quick to attempt to make it comfortable and familiar with out first seeing intimately.

Tomorrow, déjà vu.

A Loaded Word

2009-06-26T16:35:00.001-07:00

From WoodenZen

One Summer Morning

"A Loaded Word" number 87 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

We venerate the Three Treasures
And are thankful for this meal -
The work of many people
and the sharing of other forms of life.

This is the informal gatha changed before each meal at the retreats I've attended in Spokane. Aitken Roshi states that it may have originated at San Francisco Zen Center and may have ended with "and the suffering of other forms of life."

Sharing vs. suffering. In this context this is a big deal. The switch softens the gatha and in a way attempts to let us off the hook. We live and other forms of life suffer and die both directly and indirectly. Sharing makes it seem as though all those cows enjoy been paraded to the slaughter house. Or, less dramatic, do you think the eggs in the pasta with buy were produced by happy chickens? Not likely. Even the wheat we eat in our bread, I can tell you as I live next to a 800 acres of wheat, that in the process of planting and harvesting hundreds of sentient beings are killed, some quite horribly.

This switching suffering for sharing is a white wash, an extension of double speak. Sharing doesn't quite feel as upright as it once did.

No Zazen for Children

2009-06-25T07:03:00.001-07:00

"No Zazen for Children" number 86 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

I don't know. I have no children. I am supremely unqualified to say. Other than, once long ago, I was a child.

I have an idea that I would have benefited from zazen as a child. It is just an idea but maybe I wouldn't have benefited. I see my Zen practice as primarily made up of zazen and precept study/practice. As a child I was indoctrinated into the Christian cosmology by traditional Sunday school and traditional prayer. Till I was six or seven, all this was just absorbed, then I rebelled. I see a corollary here. Likely I would have taken the same path if it had been indoctrinated into a Zen practice instead of Christian practice.

I know someone who lives with two Zen Masters who are in the form of children. I'm sure that he would not agree with Aitken Roshi.

Aitken Roshi suggests that maybe one should wait till they are thirty-five before "beginning Zen practice". Yamada Koun Zenshin (1907—1989) was Aitken's teacher and was married to pediatrician Dr. Kazue Yamada. Kazue started all this by saying to Aitken "Don't let them even try. Send them outside to play."

Do we think Aitken Roshi and Dr. Yamada are suggesting no religious practice of any type till thirty-five and just play? Does this imply that one could be too old to practice Zen?

Dogen's Fukanzazengi (The Way of Zazen Recommended Universally) does not qualify any age at which to start practice.

My simple understanding of the historical context of Zen practice was that children stayed with their families till adolescences before going to live in the Zen monasteries. Male children only. So children did not routinely have a Zen practice. In those days, children would have had the opportunity to see Zen practitioners in their communities and it would have been natural to be curious. I can envision the children playing at imitating the monks but it probably was a boy thing. Cultural crap being what it is.

I am fifty-two and am only still beginning to practice Zen. I hope to continue beginning. I can not see when it would too early to begin beginning.

The Way of Yao

2009-06-24T06:49:00.001-07:00

From WoodenZen

Wallen Road Rapeseed Field

"The Way of Yao" number 85 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Dungshen Laingjie or as we more commonly no him as Tozan Ryokai, was the founder of what became the Soto school of Zen. He lived 806-869. We have him to thank for the Zen territorial map called the Five Ranks.

According to Aitken Roshi, Tozan encourages us to 'make the way of Yao' our own. Yao was one of the mythological emperors in the 'Three August Ones and Five Emperors' which according to legend ruled China between c. 2850 BC to 2205 BC. While Yao's and his son's, Shun, lives were complicated, they were moral and benevolent and are held up as examples even today.

Yao encouraged everyone in his kingdom to be playful and creative, to dance and sing with each other. Good advice even today!

I want to let all my friends know that Jack Duffy has started releasing the audio recordings of his sesshin Dharma talks. Here is the link to download. http://mountainlamp.org/audio/index.html I'm helping him with the this, so if you see problems or have suggestions let me know and I'll pass them on.

Dangerous Work

2009-06-23T06:57:00.001-07:00

"Dangerous Work" number 84 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

From WoodenZen

My feelings for this book have taken on a new flavor. Maybe just flavor du jour.

These miniatures are encouragements and come in different flavors. Some are shared as fellow dinners at the table of the Way. Some are instructions from a master to whoever will listen. Some of these miniature share the foibles of discovery what this menu we call life contains.

Today's miniature is framed like two chefs conferring about their apprentices. Maybe a bit of inside baseball. I totally don't get it. "The moonlight of wisdom is indeed lunar." What is this and why would Soen Roshi refer to is a "dangerous"? And what the hell does Aitken Roshi mean by "This teaching of etymology should gave the master pause."?

I'm sure that if you are not reading along, on page 94, it is difficult to get the flavor.

Some days the soup is too salty, some days it lacks punch, some days are 'a good day'.

Today is a good day. Let's rest in our confusion.

The Disadvantage of Being an Old-Timer

2009-06-22T05:50:00.001-07:00

"The Disadvantage of Being an Old-Timer" number 83 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

In this miniature there is the problem of familiarity. As the routine of the dojo embeds, the surprise and mystery of dojo activities wanes. Old-timers have to be on guard for this. This is where a certain amount of forgetfulness is helpful. This is the students perspective, teachers see things differently.

I go to sesshins with the Three Treasures group from Seattle. The whole time it has been just about the same people doing the same routine in the same place (some of them in the same beds). We eat the same meals, go on the same walks, see the same sights. At the Wednesday evening meal we get the same chocolate chip cookie, the only sweet the whole week. Same, same, same.

This fall sesshin will be different. The group is experimenting with a new location. In the mountains instead of on the beach. Camping instead of sleeping in dorms. The whole thing will be shook up.

One of the big disadvantages of being an old-timer is seeing the lack of first-timers. I'm seeing a influx of people at our weekly sittings and book discussion groups. I'm encouraged by this.

Beliefs

2009-06-21T07:59:00.001-07:00

"Beliefs" number 82 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Beliefs, as a way of knowing things is pretty lame. One step up from ignorance. Belief is part way between ignorance and blind faith and together these 'ways of knowing' subvert reality by either ignoring it or piling on superfluous layers of imagined crap.

A more natural way of knowing is what I would call resting. Resting as in being comfortable in not knowing. Not having to understand. Not grabbing at experience and try to make it something tangible. To describe it to others in a blog post.

Have the confidence of not knowing. Knowing that you don't know. Relax into that "Don't Know Mind".

Zen Master Seung Sahn in a dialog with as student (Diana) in 1978 had this to say about belief. He refers to "true belief" and here he is talking about the absolute reality and not what we usually mean by belief.

SS: You want to believe something; this is already a mistake. So, put it all down and true belief will appear by itself (laughs). Very simple. The mind that wants something cannot believe in anything. Throw away this wanting mind. Try!
D: Try what? Can you try to believe?
SS: No! No! I didn't say try to believe. Only try. Only try means only go straight don't know; don't know means that your ideas about this world disappear. When your ideas disappear then you and this world become one. So in true belief there is no believing in something or not believing in something because it has already become one. If you and Buddha become one, how do you believe in Buddha?!
This is one mind, try mind, go straight don't-know mind and put-it-all-down mind. But many people hold their thinking: "What does he think about me? I think this about him." Holding this creates opposites when originally there was no problem.

Now for something completely related. The Faith-Mind Inscription or Poem on the Trust in the Heart.

Hsin-hsin Ming
Faith Mind Inscription
By Third Ch'an Patriarch Chien-chih Seng-ts'an

The Great Way is not difficult for those who have no preferences.
When love and hate are both absent everything becomes clear and undisguised.
Make the smallest distinction, however, and heaven and earth are set infinitely apart.
If you wish to see the truth then hold no opinions for or against anything.
To set up what you like against what you dislike is the disease of the mind.
When the deep meaning of things is not understood the mind's essential peace is disturbed to no avail.
The Way is perfect like vast space when nothing is lacking and nothing is in excess.
Indeed, it is due to our choosing to accept or reject that we do not see the true nature of things.
Live neither in the entanglements of outer things nor in inner feelings of emptiness.
Be serene in the oneness of things and such erroneous views will disappear by themselves.
When you try to stop activity to achieve passivity your very effort fills you with activity.
As long as you remain in one extreme or the other you will never know Oneness.
Those who do not live in the single Way fail in both activity and passivity, assertion and denial.
To deny the reality of things is to miss their reality; to assert the emptiness of things is to miss their reality.
The more you talk and think about it, the further astray you wander from the truth.
Stop talking and thinking, and there is nothing you will not be able to know.
To return to the root is to find the meaning, but to pursue appearances is to miss the source.
At the moment of inner enlightenment there is a going beyond appearance and emptiness.
The changes that appear to occur in the empty world we call real only because of our ignorance.
Do not search for the truth; only cease to cherish opinions.
Do not remain in the dualistic state -- avoid such pursuits carefully.
If there is even a trace of this and that, of right and wrong, the Mind-essence will be lost in confusion.
Although all dualities come from the One, do not be attached even to this One.
When the mind exists undisturbed in the Way, nothing in the world can offend, and when such a thing can no longer offend, it ceases to exist in the old way.
When no discriminating thoughts arise, the old mind ceases to exist.
When thought objects vanish, the thinking-subject vanishes, as when the mind vanishes, objects vanish.
Things are objects because of the subject (mind); the mind (subject) is such because of things (object).
Understand the relativity of these two and the basic reality: the unity of emptiness.
In this emptiness the two are indistinguishable and each contains in itself the whole world.
If you do not discriminate between coarse and fine you will not be tempted to prejudice and opinion.
To live in the Great Way is neither easy nor difficult, but those with limited views are fearful and irresolute; the faster they hurry, the slower they go, and clinging (attachment) cannot be limited; even to be attached to the idea of enlightenment is to go astray.
Just let things be in their own way and there will be neither coming nor going.
Obey the nature of things (your own nature), and you will walk freely and undisturbed.
When thought is in bondage the truth is hidden, for everything is murky and unclear, and the burdensome practice of judging brings annoyance and weariness.
What benefits can be derived from distinctions and separations?
If you wish to move in the One Way do not dislike even the world of senses and ideas.
Indeed, to accept them fully is identical with true Enlightenment.
The wise man strives to no goals but the foolish man fetters himself.
There is one Dharma, not many; distinctions arise from the clinging needs of the ignorant.
To seek Mind with the (discriminating) mind is the greatest of all mistakes.
Rest and unrest derive from illusion; with enlightenment there is no liking and disliking.
All dualities come from ignorant inference. They are like dreams or flowers in air: foolish to try to grasp them.
Gain and loss, right and wrong: such thoughts must finally be abolished at once.
If the eye never sleeps, all dreams will naturally cease.
If the mind makes no discriminations, the ten thousand things are as they are, of single essence.
To understand the mystery of this One-essence is to be released from all entanglements.
When all things are seen equally the timeless Self-essence is reached.
No comparisons or analogies are possible in this causeless, relationless state.
Consider movement stationary and the stationary in motion, both movement and rest disappear.
When such dualities cease to exist Oneness itself cannot exist.
To this ultimate finality no law or description applies.
For the unified mind in accord with the Way all self- centered striving ceases.
Doubts and irresolutions vanish and life in true faith is possible.
With a single stroke we are freed from bondage; nothing clings to us and we hold to nothing.
All is empty, clear, self-illuminating, with no exertion of the mind's power.
Here thought, feeling, knowledge, and imagination are of no value.
In this world of suchness there is neither self nor other- than-self.
To come directly into harmony with this reality just simply say when doubt arises, 'Not two.'
In this 'not two' nothing is separate, nothing is excluded.
No matter when or where, enlightenment means entering this truth.
And this truth is beyond extension or diminution in time or space; in it a single thought is ten thousand years.
Emptiness here, Emptiness there, but the infinite universe stands always before your eyes.
Infinitelfy large and infinitely small; no difference, for definitions have vanished and no boundaries are seen.
So too with Being and Non-Being.
Don't waste time with doubts and arguments that have nothing to do with this.
One thing, all things: move among and intermingle, without distinction.
To live in this realization is to be without anxiety about non-perfection.
To live in this faith is the road to non-duality, because the non-dual is one with trusting mind.
Words!
The Way is beyond language, for in it there is no yesterday, no tomorrow, no today.

Whitman and Dogen

2009-06-20T06:13:00.001-07:00

"Whitman and Dogen" number 81 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Walt Whitman and Dogen both pondered the question of our lives. In the long poem, Song of Myself, Whitman eventually comes to see the question as full of contradictions and yet is unsurprised and unapologetic.

...
Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself,
(I am large, I contain multitudes.)
...
Song of Myself - Walt Whitman 1855

Dogen speaks to this same contradiction in the Genjokoan.

...
To study the buddha way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be actualized by myriad things. When actualized by myriad things, your body and mind as well as the bodies and minds of others drop away. No trace of realization remains, and this no-trace continues endlessly.
...
Actualizing the Fundamental Point (Genjokoan) - Dogen 1233

To study the self is to forget the self. As I sit, I see the transitory nature of what ever I can call self. These constellations of senses (which includes thoughts) or sense moments prove to be unsubstantial. They arise, play out and disappear and all that is left is the field on which this and that all played on.

What is the nature of that field? "I am large, I contain multitudes" begins to point in the general direction.